The slow silent flattery
Worming it’s way into your ear
Unsure of calculated intent
If you should accept it with fear
Or allow it to swell up & be free
Not much left of your personal pride
Life has chipped away at it
Sinking into a cowering stride

Too cautious for that rabbit hole
But you’re better than that
Deep down you truly know

How much effort have you spent
To be contrary & constantly ignore
The world as it whispers lovely words
Snippets of charm floating to the floor
Standing at an arms distance
Not believing yourself to be Alice
Or any of the princesses of yore
Never dreaming of a shining palace

Too cautious for that rabbit hole
But you’re better than that
Deep down you truly know

Never a confidence
Feeling temptations of the weak
They’re just simple words
Hoping to give an outlook a tweak
Not meant to encumber
Or ransack your existence
But you can’t hinder the words
& their slow penetrating insistence